The emergence of the novel coronavirus at the beginning of 2020 has caused everything to change. All over the world, in every country, people are in isolation, or distancing, or wearing masks, or sick. The same is true in Nepal.
In mid-January, when the rest of the world was watching China, Nepal detected their first infected person. In mid-March, when known infections were still only 4, Nepal went into lock-down. Tourists, trekkers, and climbers were herded back to Kathmandu and chartered flights were arranged to take them to their home countries. For a country who’s economy relies heavily on tourism, Nepal was closed. It has been a dramatic and challenging time.
The year 2020 was designated “Visit Nepal Year” by the government. The goal was to get two million tourists to come to Nepal this year (more than twice the number who visited in 2019). Unfortunately this campaign has been suspended before it really got going as borders are still closed and international travel is in turmoil.
What does this mean for the future of trekking and climbing? With over 20,000 Nepali porters, lodge owners, and guides currently out of work, the desire to open the borders and welcome tourists again is high. At the same time there is a fear that all the costly hard work that has been done to control the spread of the virus in Nepal could be undone by opening up too soon. This balancing act is being played out all over the world. Watch this space for updates as they are announced.
Update: October 2020
Nepal has recently begun opening up again to visitors. Climbers and trekkers will still need to be aware that restrictions could be put back into effect at anytime.
Nepal tried to loosen restrictions and allow tourists to enter the country in mid-summer, but rising numbers of Covid-19 infections delayed the implementation until recently. Given that the number of Covid-19 cases in Nepal is still high, High Adventure Expeditions is not recommending travel to Nepal at this time.
We will continue to closely monitor the situation and we are in close contact with our friends and partners in Kathmandu. As things continue to change, we will post more on this page.
Update: February 2021
As the world continues to endure the changes, restrictions and uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic, there is hope on the horizon. Vaccinations have begun in some countries and it is hoped that all countries will have access to vaccines during 2021.
Sadly thousands of people around the world continue to get sick and too many lives continue to be lost. Nepal has reopened their borders to climbers and trekkers, but the people of Nepal are still unprotected and vulnerable. High Adventure Expeditions will not be operating climbing expeditions or treks in Nepal until the people have access to vaccines and can be protected. The nature of expeditions and treks bring people into close contact with each other in tea houses, dining tents and sleeping tents. We do not want to be responsible for an event that gets people sick or worse. At the end of this global pandemic the mountains will still be there. We hope all our friends and family will be too.
Safe safe and stay well.